Auditions are now open for “Kipps – The New Half a Sixpence Musical”. The show will be performed at the ADC theatre, Cambridge in January and you can be part of it!

Please note, this is a rescheduled run, so some parts have already been cast.

Auditions will take place on Tuesday 24 August and Tuesday 7 September.

For an updated audition pack, click here. (Those roles that are already cast have been struck through).

Here is our cast for ‘Let the Sunshine In’! Thank you to everyone who auditioned – the panel we’re hugely impressed by the talent, commitment and preparation on show and it was a tough set of choices in the end. We’re now looking forward to bringing you a show full of uplifting music in a few short weeks. Stay tuned for performance dates, venues and ticket details!

All Festival Players, past and present were deeply saddened at the news that our former Chairman, Musical Director, Life President and friend, Brian ‘Tommy’ Thomas, has passed away aged 89.

In his own inimitable words, earlier in 2020 Tommy had been ‘awarded a certificate by the Bone Marrow Failure Clinic and the prize of regular blood transfusions’. Sadly, during a stay in Addenbrooke’s in early December he contracted COVID, and died peacefully in his sleep on the morning of Wednesday 23rd December 2020.

Tommy conducted the first Festival Players production in 1973 and went on to MD or direct a further 58 society productions. He conducted over 60 symphony concerts, had his orchestral works published and publicly performed and wrote compositions used in television. However, his first love was musical theatre and, although he was Musical Director for countless productions with other societies, he always regarded Festival Players as his ‘home team’.

Tommy was an incredibly special man, with personal connections to so many of us. We will miss him terribly. Our thoughts are with his wife Linda, son Ian and their family.

We are so proud and delighted that ‘Evita’ was a DOUBLE WINNER at today’s NODA East Gala Awards. Winning the district’s Best Musical and Best Overall Production awards! Congratulations to the amazing Creative Team, Cast, Musicians and Crew that made this unforgettable production happen.

We’re delighted to announce our terrific cast for “KIPPS – The New Half a Sixpence Musical”. Thanks to everyone who auditioned – we really appreciate the preparation and commitment you put in!
Tickets are NOW ON SALE to see this great line-up in action from 28 May – 6 June www.adctheatre.com/whats-on/musical/kipps/

Many congratulations to the cast, musicians and production team of ‘EVITA’ on receiving a very well deserved NODA East Gala Award nomination for BEST MUSICAL. We’ll find out the result on 8th March!

Check http://www.festivalplayers.org/auditions regularly for the announcement of the start of audition bookings and where to get the audition pack from.

Applications now being sought for a Director and a Musical Director of our summer 2020 show “KIPPS – The New Half a Sixpence Musical”. If you’d like to be considered please contact Warren via secretary@festivalplayers.org by 6th October, including a brief résumé and your availability to meet the committee between 7th – 28th October to discuss your ideas for this amazing show.

The show runs 28th May – 6th June 2020 at the ADC Theatre, Cambridge. We aim to schedule cast auditions during winter 2019-20 and rehearsals would be expected to start in March 2020.

We’re delighted to bring you the exceptional cast line-up for our January 2020 production of ‘Merrily We Roll Along’

Frank – Andrew Ruddick
Mary – Sam Billing
Charley – Matthew Brown
Gussie – Emma Vieceli
Joe – Warren Clark
Beth – Catriona Clarke
Meg – Saskia Higginson
Tyler – Steve Nicholson

Other parts to be played by:

Danielle Padley
Fran Watson
Ellis Toms
Gabi Fletcher
Ash Smith
Karen Salter
Philippa Clark
Rebecca Goddard

Congratulations to our cast, and thanks to everyone who auditioned.

The team are still looking for more men to join the ensemble, which includes a few featured character parts. If you are interested, or know of someone who is, please contact us as soon as possible via auditions@festivalplayers.org.

“Evening With Festival Players 2019 is here!

This is the chance for members to “do a turn” in front of a friendly audience of fellow Festival Players. In the past we’ve had songs, sketches, poems, monologues and dance numbers, so get rehearsing and sign up now!

If you are a paid-up member and would like to perform, contact Catriona (social@festivalplayers.org) with details of what you’d like to perform, with whom (if anyone), and if you’ll need piano backing. James Harvey will be playing piano for us, and there will be a chance for a run-through rehearsal before the night itself.

If you’d like to come along, click attending and turn up on the night! There will be a collection bucket if you’d like to donate at the end of the evening.

When: Saturday 21 September 2019

Where: Cambridge University Centre Wine Bar

Any other questions, get in touch with Catriona (social@festivalplayers.org).

Looking forward to seeing you there!”